Five questions for Smug Roberts

He ran Bernard Manning’s nightclub, has appeared in most of Peter Kay’s productions and is now working with Ken Loach. Manc comic Smug Roberts certainly has a diverse CV.

How did you end up running Manning’s Embassy Club?

Smug Roberts

I’d grown up with his son, Young Bernard, so when he retired they asked me to take over, and I put alternative comedy on. But then he made a comeback, so I said: ‘If Bernard’s coming back, I’ll give it a miss.’ It was the best thing that ever happened to me, because I then did the opening night of the Manchester Comedy Store and ended up with a part in 24 Hour Party People.

Mid-1990s Manchester spawned many great comics; did you feel part of a movement?

Caroline Aherne was at the first gig I ever did. She was part of that first wave with Steve Coogan and John Thomson, and she then mentored me and got me an agent. So it was a good time. The cream on the top was that a lot of us then ended up on Phoenix Nights.

Are you in Peter Kay’s new series, Britain’s Got The Pop Factor… And Possibly A New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice?

It’s a piss-take of Pop Idol and I’m playing a bloke whose relative is in the heats. I’ve done almost everything of Peter’s now, although weirdly not Max And Paddy, even though I was Max’s brother.

Is acting taking precedence over stand-up now?

Not really, I’m dead lucky because really I’m like an actor whose proper job is waiting on tables. The comedy that I do is about people and problems, and I do characters and voices, so I suppose agents notice that.

And you’re in the new Ken Loach film?

Yes – it’s called Looking For Eric, and Eric Cantona’s in it, too. I was sitting on a catering bus having dinner with Ken Loach, and I looked out of the window and saw Eric on his mobile, waving. I thought: ‘Bloody hell, I’ll wake up in a minute.’